Instagram's New Terms of Service – What You Need To Know

Are you using Instagram for you salon or personal brand? If so, I’m sure you’ve heard of the recent controversy surrounding their new Terms of Service (TOS) and Privacy Policy. It’s true, not many people actually bother reading the lengthy legal statements – but this particular update to the apps terms was one that garnered much attention.

The language in the new terms, which go in to effect on January 16th, are pretty straightforward, they state that your photographs and associated information (like location data) can be promoted by companies without anyone notifying you about the transaction. The black and white statement reads as follows:

To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you.

Instagram's co-founder, Kevin Systrom, has since released a statement apologizing for the 'confusion.' The above sentence has been removed for the new Terms of Service document. Systrom's apology included a promise that Instagram users do own their own images and an explanation on what that particular sentence was 'supposed' to mean.

Before you get too upset about the new terms, keep in mind that Instagram has always had the ability to copy your photos. (Remember the snoozefestlegalease you agreed to when you set up your account?) These new terms actually make things clearer – and more importantly – more limited. In fact, Instagram has clarified, noting they cannot sell your photos to anyone, or change them in any way, for example. The terms you agreed to simply do not permit this – which is a good thing for our industry!

So, what CAN Instagram do?

"Going forward, rather than obtain permission from you to introduce possible advertising products we have not yet developed, we are going to take the time to complete our plans, and then come back to our users and explain how we would like for our advertising business to work." Systrom wrote.

Meaning that Instagram will come back to us with specific demands on what they want and why.

All in all, the new terms are part of Instagram's new collaboration with Facebook (which acquired the service earlier this year) and are geared toward building better experiences for users. I’ll be sure to loop back to all of you after the new changes kick in and share an update.

Style Sync is an on-line social media training, personal branding and business education platform designed specifically for salon owners and stylists to help them magnify their image and multiply their results.

Style Sync, a division of Evoke Brand Strategies, is an on-line, subscription based social media training, personal branding and business education platform designed to help individual stylists and salon owners turn social media prowess into more clients and more money for your salon.

At Evoke Brand Strategies we develop digital, social and mobile strategies for salon professional, beauty, hospitality and entertainment brands. As branding and public relations veterans, yet early adopters of all things digital, we understand the importance of creating measurable, buzz-worthy campaigns that generate bottom-line results.

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About the Author:

Kelly Ehlers

Kelly Ehlers is a recognized leader and expert in social and mobile media for the salon and beauty industry. Her firm, Evoke Brand Strategies, specializes in providing innovative digital solutions for salons, stylists and brands looking to connect with their customers in today’s technology-driven society. By combining traditional PR and relationship building with today’s social platforms, Ehlers bring a fresh perspective to the industry. Having literally grown up in the beauty industry (her mother was a successful salon owner for 40 years), Ehlers’ unique perspective combines years of PR, marketing and social media knowledge with real-world salon experience. In February 2012, Ehlers launched her newest venture, StyleSync, teaching small businesses, salon owners, stylists and students how to easily utilize social media to grow their businesses and personal brands.